Changes

I see that 8 months ago I resolved to get back into writing. Clearly that didn't happen. I did write every day during that trip and again every day during our December holiday to the Kruger Park, but somehow never got around to editing any of it. It is on a different laptop now and in any case seems rather old and stale.
But I have changed jobs! As of 1 Feb, so may have some more time to do the things which make me human and healthy, like running, reading and writing. Not to mention more family time, the odd bicycle ride and even the odd picnic.
I am back working out of an office in Cape Town CBD. The distance to work is the same - around 30km. I am still playing with the idea of cycling - it is easy to think about these things at this time of the year, when the days are warm and long, not so easy when the sun rises at 8, sets at 5 and it rains and blows all day. But whatever, I am thinking about it. Unfortunately, there have been two deaths of cyclists just in the last week - one in Camps Bay and the other in Kalk Bay. Not encouraging. Cape Town (and South Africa more generally) just does not have the culture of respecting other road users' rights - it is right by might, and move over (preferably move off) or I will move you over with my bumper. Not to say that cyclists are innocent. Many are arrogant, irresponsible and labouring under delusions that they are somehow entitled to special privileges on the road - they should take a leaf from the pages of runners' books - we just know we are at the bottom of the pecking order…
Anyway, while I am trying to work that out, I have worked out a daily routine which is hugely satisfying and seems to be helping with my training as well. I leave home at 5.45, unless I oversleep (!) and get to Cape Town around 6.30 - it is pretty easy going, with a slight slowing down through Claremont and Newlands for the traffic lights. I park at work and make my way to the Virgin Active gym, just 2 blocks away, lock my kit in the change room and head out with my iPhone, earphones and gym card. I have worked out a number of routes, ranging from 5km to 10km, but they all have in common that I use the "World Cup" pedestrian bridge over Buitengracht, which gets me to the Waterfront, and then run through the Waterfront and back. The longer versions include a loop around the stadium, the longest one a loop through Greenpoint's "Peace Park" and a very pleasant bit along the promenade, past Mouille Point lighthouse, and along Beach Road. In the Waterfront itself, I like the section next to Granger Bay, and down onto Breakwater Boulevard to the "old stone breakwater" next to the Table Bay Hotel (I don't know the history, but it looks very old - even has iron rails for some kind of truck or train, maybe a crane on wheels - who knows, I should find out. And then there is the nice section through the "tourist" part of the waterfront, past the amphitheater, the dry dock and the entrance to the marina. I take the footpath which runs behind the Cape Grace Hotel, along the waterways of the marina. It is all very pretty and in some places the views are fantastic.
That gets me back to the gym around 7.30 and after a shower I am in my office before 8. Great way to start the day.
What I haven't figured out yet is what time to leave. Generally, the traffic starts getting heavy around 4, so some try to leave by 3.30. I don't think that sets a great example if you are the boss, so I figured I would work late, kill all my emails, and aim to be home by 7. I have now tried leaving cape Town at 4.30, 5.00, 5.30, 6.00, 6.30 and even later, as well as a few times in-between, and so far I just get the most horrendous traffic on the Eastern (Nelson Mandela) Boulevard. My colleagues say it eases off in March. Maybe it is related to the low oil prices. Who knows. But it does make me think more about the bicycle - I hate sitting in traffic..

So here are some pictures from the last few months:

These are from last Saturday's walk over Boyes Drive. There was a cold front pushing in and we even had one or two drops of rain. The sea was a pleasant greeny-blue and I thought the effect was quite dramatic. This was the day before the Peninsula Half Marathon - hence the walk rather than a run.

This is a shot of Fish Hoek from one of the roads which traverse the side of Elsie's Peak. The flat cloud on Kalk Bay mountain, on the far side, gives you some idea of the strength of the south easter that day. In the foreground is Fish Hoek beach, with Main Road and the shopping area stretching away towards Clovelly.

I took this shot from one of the pedestrian bridges over Buitengracht Street during a morning run. I like the juxtaposition of the Lutheran church, which is one of the oldest churches in Cape Town (somewhere between 150 and 200 years, as I recall) and the more modern office blocks, all overshadowed by the Mountain, with its "table cloth" - again, as good indicator that a south easter is blowing.

These are two old houses on Main Road between Muizenberg and St James. I have no idea what their history is. They look a bit run down, particularly the one on the left. But I liked them both and wondered who they belonged to. Hopefully they are protected by the National Monuments Act and that someone will do the right thing and give them some TLC soon. I am tempted, but could not afford them.

I think this was on New Year's Day. If it wasn't it was on similar day, i.e. the day after a major holiday. Luckily none had been badly hurt in this one, but one wonders what happened. Maybe the driver simply fell asleep. Scary. Glad I wasn't running at the time.

OK - that is probably ok for today. Shouldn't overdo it or it will become unmanageable.